CARCHEX

My son recommended me to CARCHEX and other extended warranties are very similar with them in the sense that you have to pay $100 deductible upfront. But it came down to what's covered and it looked like CARCHEX covered more than what Subaru was offering. They offered 80,000 for eight-years while CARCHEX offered about 90,000 for seven years. But I'm not even gonna have this vehicle for seven years. I'm gonna turn it over in the next four to five years and I'd still have more mileage on it. So, even though the Subaru one was a year longer, I went with CARCHEX.

Aside from that, the Subaru one was more expensive. But initially, the first price that I was given at CARCHEX was higher than the one offered by Subaru. However, the gentleman went to his manager then the manager came out and took all the deductions for different items. So, once we got to all the little things that he was able to make deductions for then we became much less than the other one which has worked out really well. Their rep was also very good and very helpful. He answered all of my questions and in our conversation, I finally got around to what's not covered and the list was coming up pretty short considering. So, I felt that if I'm gonna buy one, I'm going to buy the best since the price was lower than the one that wasn't the best they had. So, for me, I got a better extended warranty at a lower price and I'm pretty happy.

So far, I'll see how it works out. It's like an insurance policy. You have it, but you're hoping never to use it. But it's gonna be very valuable just for the peace of mind. Outbacks aren't notorious for being glued to the shop, so I may never have to use it and for me, I don't wanna use it. But if I have to, it's nice to know that you got something there that will take care of business. All in all, my experience was straight to the point and I'd recommend CARCHEX.

I liked the way that the CARCHEX representative was speaking to me. It didn’t seem as if it was totally sales-driven and it was like they were looking out for the best interest for me. The gentleman I spoke with was very knowledgeable as pertaining to the coverage, which I liked. If he didn’t know the answers to some of the questions that I had to ask him, he was honest and he went out of his way to make sure that I would get the answer. He didn’t just say, “I don’t know,” and stopped there. He made sure that he got a supervisor to gain more information to let me know. As far as the understanding part, he wanted to make sure that he covered every nook and cranny, and he did, so he got me there.

It was around the holiday season and it was busy. I have four children, so my schedule is hectic but the rep followed up with me, and that was what got me to go along with it. If he didn’t follow up with me, I probably would've, on my own time, searched for something else. He got me at a good time and gave me the necessary space in between. From the first time that we spoke until the second time that we spoke, he gave me that space and he let me know a really good deal.

I wasn’t too familiar with warranties and I’ve had other people call me as well. But those other people weren’t trying to see if there was a better option or something that was more suitable for me, and CARCHEX did that. When the rep started listing some options, there were some things that I found out that I really don’t see any fit for. But he was able to accommodate that and I like that because sometimes, when you talk to sales associates, it’s like they’re robots. If you ask them anything outside of the ordinary, they’re like, “Wait. What? That’s not how the call is supposed to go.” I hope that every associate is like the one that I spoke with because he was totally awesome and great. He remembered that I have children and he knew I was busy around that time, but he was compassionate about that which was neat and I like it. I would recommend CARCHEX. The people are realistic, honest, suitable, convenient and flexible.

They have a laundry list of what their different packages cover and I had a good idea of what I was interested in and what my primary needs were. I went down the list they sent me, all that information by email, so I was able to read it and print it up and spend some time with it. My needs were related to drivetrain and electronics. But the package that we ended up buying on both cars is all-inclusive. Both the packages are the same, but the prices were slightly different because the cars aren't the same. Their rep, Jason, was very accommodating and was upfront if there were certain things he wasn't sure of. He also brought someone else online who had a little bit more experience and between the two of them, they answered all of my questions.

You don't know how important a vehicle protection plan is until suddenly you have a major item occur. The protection plan was about $4,500 for the two cars. You can do a lot of repairs for $4,500, but you can also have a transmission go or an electronic system go on your car, and it can cost you more than that. We typically replace our cars every two years and that way, you never have to worry as it stays in warranty and I never have any major issues to deal with. But in this case, my wife has a CRV Honda which she loves and I bought a Mini Cooper, which I'm gonna use as my toy. The Mini Coopers made by BMW can be very complicated to repair also because of the electronics in it. The engine in it is made by BMW, and it's a twin turbo, so it can be super expensive if something goes wrong with it. Overall, CARCHEX is very good.

I was gonna keep what I had but what made me change to CARCHEX was that when I was looking at what they offered, there were more apples than what I bought for a lot less. I bought CARCHEX for the same number of miles, 100,000 miles, and for seven years for $1096. My only thing with CARCHEX is when I went online and I put in my zip code, the site said there was no agent in my area. So I called the 1-800 number and the guy explained to me that CARCHEX is out of Maryland and a person has to be licensed to sell in California. But I still bought the warranty because the coverage is still good in California. CARCHEX also said I can take my car to any dealership. I don't necessarily have to take it to Toyota.

When I examined CARCHEX, I was expecting one answer but the salesperson exceeded my expectations in every area. I asked him direct questions, which he answered, then he even gave me extra. He should get a promotion because he did everything excellently. He was not only knowledgeable about the product, but he could also do what I was trying to get the guy at the dealership to do – to show me the value, compare one to the other and show me why it benefits me to buy their product. He was honest with me about it too. It felt like cross-examining on things.

He was also very informative and patient. After he explained everything to me, I told him that I was probably not gonna buy the warranty at that time. I told him that I was gonna undo the first contract then come back and buy it. There was no pressure and I did just that. I cancelled the first coverage then I called the salesperson back and made the purchase about a week later. I made the purchase over the phone by credit card and it was convenient to pay. I had to finance and we had to set up stuff and do a debit for under $61 a month for 18 months. So I pay as I go. That was good stuff.

The car I purchased was a used car but it was barely used. It’s still on the manufacturer warranty but if something goes wrong down the road, the $1,000 I paid would be easily recouped. I probably won't even have to use the $1,000 that I am paying but if I did need the warranty, it's good to have. Getting a warranty is more or less like buying auto insurance. You buy auto insurance because you have to have it. Also, If something happens, you are covered even though you can’t pay out of your pocket. And if you have to have insurance, it makes sense to shop around and compare insurance companies to see which one offers you the best for the least amount of money. CARCHEX answered that question.

Reading F 13 says the maximum hourly rate is based on Repair Facility posted labor rates. These 2 contradicts each other, basically saying the same, so what do I pay extra for? I was told they use a Nationally recognized labor guides for repairs in my area. Why does it say they will pay Posted Labor Rates and not say based off a Nationally recognized labor guides for repair rates under Market Labor Rate Option, which I chose to pay for. The diagnostic check that was completed by the licensed mechanic servicing the vehicle is something required in repairing the vehicle. Now let’s be very clear, I am not a mechanic or have any education in auto mechanics, but who are we to question a certified mechanic on how he performs his job on running the diagnostic test and how long this required step takes.

It’s clearly written under F 4 - This contract will not cover flat rate charges for diagnosis, but I was informed that this diagnostic test was based off a time period and the repair facility gave an estimate of 1 hour to complete under the hourly rate. Again, this is a labor rate and my plan I pay for the Market labor rate option, another part of the contract that contradicts its self and told by the rep using the National guide for this procedure is 24 minutes to complete and not an hour the certified mechanic quoted. So now I’m not paying a posted labor rate, but now it’s a fee divided by 60 minutes and I will be responsible for the remaining 26 minutes, now that’s really some nickel and dime craziness.

The second part of this fold is how they shop for a part and if the repair facility does not accept it I am responsible for the difference. Yes, it’s spelled out clearly in the contract, but I’m not a certified mechanic or work or n auto parts, so I will have to learn the hard way on this. Just a note, I will be shopping for a repair facility that fits this contract now and not following the first part that I can choose my own. Learning curve is how I will chalk this repair up. I just am finding out now (since this is my first claim) is having an extended warranty worth the fee I am paying to haggle over these small issues that contradicts itself.

Since the coverage on this repair will still cost $300 (includes the $100 deductible) still worth continuing? I understand we do not pay for insurance with the hopes we will use it, but in the event it is needed. In essence this is basically an insurance policy on an older vehicle and I do not want to use it, but now that I have it just seems like haggling over the little stuff just might lose more customers than keeping them. I feel I did my homework on shopping for a warranty and still feel that this was the right one. I should have read a few more reviews and already found a repair facility that fits this plan instead of going to one and finding out how it really works.